Archive for March, 2008

(Middletown, NY) - Orange Regional Medical Center is pleased to announce the appointment of Susan Hodgson as Vice President of Quality and Stephen Sugrue, RN, CEN, Esq. as Chief Compliance Officer and Counsel.

Prior to joining the Orange Regional family, Susan worked at Saratoga Hospital where she was the Director of Quality Support Services. She is a Registered Nurse, Certified Healthcare Quality Professional and has her Masters in Health Services Administration. Susan will be responsible for Quality Services, Case Management, Infection Control, Safety and Patient Advocacy and will oversee the JCAHO survey process.

Steve comes to Orange Regional from St. Vincent's Midtown Hospital where he was the Associate General Counsel and Corporate Compliance Officer. Steve has both law firm and governmental experience representing hospitals and healthcare practitioners. He also has a medical background, beginning his career in healthcare as a Paramedic and a Registered Nurse. Steve has a Bachelor's in Healthcare and Legal Studies and a Juris Doctorate from Pace University School of Law, where he also received a Certificate in Health Law & Policy. Steve will be responsible the administration of Orange Regional's Corporate Compliance program.

Orange Regional Reminds You to Reduce Your Risk of Heart Attack and Stroke with These Simple Tips

Wednesday, March 26th, 2008

According to the Centers for Disease Control, New York State has the highest cardiac mortality rate in the country for coronary heart disease. The rate in Orange and Sullivan Counties exceeds the State and national averages.

As a designated Stroke Center, Orange Regional has an expert Stroke Team made up of highly trained physicians, nurses and technicians that can treat stroke quickly and effectively, using the latest medicines and techniques, to minimize brain damage. Having quick access to these types of services within the first three hours of showing symptoms of a stroke is essential to preventing long-term neurological damage.

For more information, or to register for a Healthy Heart screening or stroke awareness program, please call the Orange Regional Health Connection at 1-888-321-ORMC (6762).

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Orange Regional Medical Center First in Orange County to Offer Life-saving Emergency Angioplasty

Thursday, March 13th, 2008

(Middletown, NY) - Orange Regional Medical Center has become the first hospital in Orange County to offer Emergency Angioplasty as part of its comprehensive range of cardiac services. "We are pleased to announce that the State Department of Health recently approved Orange Regional to offer this sophisticated cardiac procedure at The Peter Frommer, M.D. Heart Center," CEO and President Scott Batulis said. "Our emergency angioplasty team of cardiologists and clinicians, led by Doctors William Gotsis and Gary Silverman, stand ready to treat patients experiencing a heart attack. This means most heart attack patients will not have to travel outside of our area for advanced cardiac care."

Angioplasty is a minimally invasive and interventional procedure performed in Orange Regional"s state-of-the-art Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory at the Horton Campus in Middletown. An angioplasty is done using a thin, soft tube called a catheter. A doctor inserts the catheter into the blood vessel and carefully guides a balloon until it reaches the blocked portion of the coronary artery. This life-saving procedure involves widening the compromised artery to restore blood flow to the heart. A stent is inserted in a majority of cases to assure the vessel remains open.

Heart disease is the leading killer of Americans according to the American Heart Association. The most common form of heart disease is coronary artery disease. Coronary heart disease occurs when the arteries that carry blood to the heart become partially clogged and blocked by deposits of built-up cholesterol and fat. A heart attack occurs when a blockage prevents the heart from receiving the oxygen it needs to function.

According to Dr. Gotsis, once the heart muscle is deprived of blood flow for more than just a few minutes it begins to die. This is why if someone is experiencing symptoms of what may be a heart attack, it is crucial to get to the emergency department as soon as possible. When it comes to a heart attack, "time equals heart muscle."

Orange Regional Medical Center Names Vice President, General Counsel

Prior to joining the Orange Regional family, Joe worked at United Healthcare/Oxford Health Plans, where he was an Associate General Counsel. He has a Bachelor's Degree from the University of Rochester and graduated from the Duke University School of Law. Joe also has a Master's Degree in Public Health from the Harvard School of Public Health.

He will be responsible for all legal issues, including preparing and reviewing legal documents, negotiating and drafting contracts and leases, counseling the organization on matters pertaining to operations and policies and managing outside counsel.